Samuel Hoskins Merrill Bio
Samuel Hoskins Merrill is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed “Money Merrill,” he was drafted with the last pick of the 2020 NBA draft and acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2021. He played college basketball for the Utah State Aggies from 2016 to 2020. Merrill has established himself as a reliable three-point shooter and key bench contributor for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Early Life and Background
Merrill was born on May 15, 1996, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is the son of John Merrill and Jenny Merrill, and he has an older sister named Molli. He grew up in Bountiful, Utah, where he attended Bountiful High School and developed into a standout basketball player. His early success came quickly, as he became a starter as a sophomore and averaged 6.5 points per game with 2.6 assists midway through the season.
During his junior year at Bountiful High School, Merrill elevated his game significantly, averaging 18.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. He earned first-team all-state honors from both the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune for his performance. As a senior, he continued his dominance by posting 15.8 points, 7.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game while leading Bountiful to a 4A state championship. His high school career attracted recruiting interest from major programs, including Stanford and Princeton, before he committed to Utah State University.
Path to Basketball
Before beginning his freshman year at Utah State University, Merrill served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nicaragua. When he returned, he entered a program undergoing significant change as head coach Stew Morrill had retired and been replaced by Tim Duryea. Merrill made an immediate impact, posting 9.4 points per game during his freshman season while adjusting to the collegiate level.
His sophomore season saw improvement across the board, as Merrill averaged 16.3 points per game for the Aggies. He earned Third-team All-Mountain West Conference recognition for his consistent performances. During his junior year, Merrill elevated his status as one of the conference’s premier players by averaging 20.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from three-point range, and 90.9 percent from the free throw line. He led Utah State to the Mountain West tournament championship and earned MWC Player of the Year, tournament MVP, and AP Honorable Mention All-American honors. He scored a career-high 38 points on March 5, 2019, in an overtime victory over Colorado State University.
Samuel Hoskins Merrill Career
College Career (2016–2020)
Merrill’s senior season cemented his legacy at Utah State. In the season opener, he scored 28 points in an 81–73 victory over Montana State. On February 11 against Colorado State, he became the 10th player in school history to reach 2,000 career points and passed Wayne Estes for third on the all-time scoring list. He finished that game with 32 points and five assists in a 75–72 win. Merrill was named First-team All-MWC for the second consecutive season and led the Aggies to another Mountain West tournament championship. In the tournament final, he scored 27 points in a 59–56 upset of San Diego State and hit the game-winning three-pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining. The tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after that victory.
Milwaukee Bucks (2020–2021)
On November 18, 2020, Merrill was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the final pick of the 2020 NBA draft. Four days later, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a four-team trade involving the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. He began his professional career with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League, making his debut on February 10, 2021.
During the regular season with the Bucks, Merrill appeared in 30 games, starting two, while averaging 3.0 points and 1.0 rebound per game. He shot an impressive 44.7 percent from three-point range in just 7.8 minutes per game. Merrill contributed during Milwaukee’s playoff run to the 2021 NBA Championship, appearing in eight games as the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games. He became an NBA champion in his rookie season.
Memphis Grizzlies (2021–2022)
On August 7, 2021, Merrill was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with two future second-round picks in exchange for Grayson Allen. He appeared in six games for Memphis, averaging 4.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. On January 1, 2022, he was waived by the Grizzlies.
Cleveland Cavaliers Era (2023–Present)
After brief stints with Sacramento, Merrill joined the Cleveland Charge training camp roster on October 24, 2022. He had been selected first overall in the G League draft two days earlier. On March 3, 2023, he signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and nine days later, he signed a multi-year contract to remain with the team.
Merrill quickly became a valuable contributor off the bench for Cleveland. On December 20, 2023, he scored 27 points and hit eight three-pointers in a 124–116 victory over the Utah Jazz. On January 22, 2024, he scored 26 points, including a career-high 20 in the first half, during a 126–99 win over the Orlando Magic that helped Cleveland secure an eight-game winning streak. On March 27, 2024, Merrill broke the Cleveland franchise record for most bench three-pointers in a single season with his 129th, surpassing Donyell Marshall’s record from 2005–06.
On June 28, 2025, Merrill re-signed with the Cavaliers on a four-year, $38 million contract. He continued his strong play into the 2025–26 season, scoring a career-high 32 points on February 11, 2026, in a 138–113 win over the Washington Wizards. He shot 11-of-12 from the field, including a perfect 9-of-9 in the first half. On May 17, 2026, Merrill scored a playoff career-high 23 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Pistons. His performance ranked as the 12th most points scored by a Cavaliers reserve in a playoff game since starters began being tracked in 1970–71.
Driving Style and Strengths
Merrill has developed into one of the NBA’s most reliable three-point shooters off the bench. His quick release and high shooting percentage from beyond the arc make him a constant threat when spacing the floor. He excels at coming off screens and catching fire quickly, which has made him particularly effective in bench-heavy lineups. His ability to score in bunches provides the Cavaliers with a consistent secondary scoring option.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Merrill has delivered several signature performances. His game-winning three-pointer in the 2020 Mountain West tournament championship stands as one of his most memorable moments. His bench scoring exploits set a Cleveland franchise record during the 2023–24 season. Winning an NBA championship as a rookie with the Milwaukee Bucks remains a career highlight. His 32-point performance against Washington in February 2026 demonstrated his ability to take over games when given extended minutes.
Samuel Hoskins Merrill Career Wins
Merrill has accumulated significant achievements throughout his basketball career at both the collegiate and professional levels. His college career was highlighted by conference Player of the Year honors and multiple tournament championships. In the NBA, he captured a championship ring with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
Mountain West Conference Highlights
Merrill’s college career was decorated with numerous accolades. He was named Mountain West Player of the Year in 2019 after leading the conference in scoring. He earned First-team All-Mountain West honors twice and was named Mountain West tournament MVP twice, leading Utah State to consecutive conference championships. He was also recognized as an AP Honorable Mention All-American in 2019.
NBA Career Highlights
As a professional, Merrill won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. He holds the Cleveland franchise record for most three-pointers made by a bench player in a single season with 129 during the 2023–24 campaign. His career-high 32-point performance came in February 2026 against Washington, and he has shown consistent ability to score in double figures when given opportunities.
Samuel Hoskins Merrill Family
Family Background
Merrill was born to John Merrill and Jenny Merrill in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He grew up in Bountiful, Utah, alongside his older sister Molli. His family has supported his basketball journey from his early days at Bountiful High School through his professional career. He comes from an athletic background, with his wife having played soccer at the collegiate level.
Personal Life
In May 2018, Merrill married Kanyan Ward, a former collegiate soccer player. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Kendall, in May 2022. Their second child, a daughter, was born in February 2025, and their third child, a son, was born in January 2026. Merrill is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and completed a two-year mission in Nicaragua before beginning his college basketball career. He maintains a strong presence on social media, connecting with fans through his official accounts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season marked a significant chapter in Merrill’s career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After re-signing with the team on a lucrative four-year, $38 million contract in June 2025, Merrill entered the season as a key piece of Cleveland’s bench rotation. His trajectory continued upward as he built upon his record-breaking 2023–24 season when he set the franchise benchmark for bench three-pointers.
Merrill’s career-high 32-point performance against Washington in February 2026 showcased his evolution from a situational shooter into a dynamic offensive weapon capable of taking over games. His ability to shoot efficiently from distance, combined with his improved scoring instincts, made him an increasingly important component of Cleveland’s championship aspirations. The Cavaliers leaned on his scoring punch off the bench throughout the season.
His playoff performance in Game 7 against Detroit demonstrated his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. Working under head coach Kenny Atkinson, Merrill has carved out a defined role as one of the league’s most dangerous three-point shooters off the bench. The Cavaliers’ investment in retaining him signals their belief in his continued growth and importance to the team’s long-term success. With his scoring ability and championship experience, Merrill remains a valuable asset for Cleveland as they pursue postseason glory.